Routes to Higher Ed - A Levels or Access course?

[spacedonkey]

I would like to start a degree course in september 2006, so have been thinking about doing an Access course starting this September. Does anyone have any experience of doing this, and does anyone know if universities look more favourably on A Levels or Access courses when considering applications from mature students?

Sorry Spacedonkey

I missed the post where you said the year in Italy would be cool. Obviously not a problem then! (But for some people, eg if their kids are coming up to GCSEs or something, it is a big issue.)

Thank you sofiaames and ellbell - it's very encouraging to hear about your dh's positive experience of doing an access course SA, and also to hear an insider view on the course I'd like to do EB.

Yes, it does have to be based in London (preferably West London) - I'm still investigating what courses are available and any recommendations would be very welcome!

SD - I don't know if you have a particular place in mind for your degree but Birkbeck College (part of the University of London) is really impressive. DH did his degree there a few years ago and really enjoyed it - both the degree and the friends he made. The teaching was really good and he thoroughly recommends it to everyone.

They mainly take mature students - it's only part-time study - and you might be able to start this September without A levels/Access course. They were very understanding about personal circumstances too (me being ill when pregnant and DH's business trips abroad) and DH's friends on the course were really good about collecting handouts, photocopying notes and generally sharing information. Much better than either the extremely competitive or couldn't care less younger students.

I wish I'd gone there!

Funnily enough Birkbeck was the first place I looked at, but unfortunately they do not offer Italian

That is a shame I was looking at the prospectus for you and seeing about admission requirements and wondering whether I could do another degree...

I would be a perpetual student if I could

but thanks for looking gem!

I've made contact with the UCL Admissions Tutor by email to ask their advice on the best way for an old biddy like me to get a place.

Spacedonkey

Good luck with UCL. Have you tried Royal Holloway? I know they do Italian, but I don't know about the Linguistics. Could you stretch to commuting to Reading? Often (if they can) departments will be sympathetic for timetabling with mature students - i.e. avoiding 9.00 lectures and so on. There are many advantages of doing Italian (as I said before) but one of the DISadvantages is that the number of places offering it is relatively limited. I think Queen Mary and Westfield have some Italian and other places (e.g. Kings) have it in the Language Centre but you can't do it to degree level (and no year abroad). Worth looking at Royal Holloway and Reading though, IMO.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you want any more info.

I'm with Gem13 btw... would start all over again if I could!